Slim profile, rear docking tape drive canister

摘要

In one embodiment, an automated tape library includes an array of tape drive canister bays, each tape drive canister bay being configured for insertion of a tape drive canister therein, each tape drive canister supporting a tape drive. The library also includes a power system, a communications system, and a robotic accessor configured to access tape cartridges in tape drives in the array of tape drive canister bays. Each tape drive canister bay includes a latching mechanism configured to secure a tape drive canister into the tape drive canister bay. A library docking connector is configured to connect a docking connector of the tape drive canister to the power system and the communications system when the latching mechanism is in the latched close position.

主权项

1. An automated tape library, comprising:
an array of tape drive canister bays, each tape drive canister bay being configured to accept insertion of a tape drive canister therein, each tape drive canister supporting a tape drive; a power system; a communications system; and a robotic accessor configured to access tape cartridges in tape drives in the array of tape drive canister bays,
wherein accessing tape cartridges comprises insertion and removal, wherein each tape drive canister bay comprises:
a latching mechanism configured to:
secure a tape drive canister into the tape drive canister bay and connect the library docking connector to a docking connector of the tape drive canister when the tape drive canister is inserted in the tape drive canister bay and the latching mechanism is in a latched close position; andrelease the tape drive canister from the tape drive canister bay and disconnect the library docking connector from the docking connector of the tape drive canister when the latching mechanism is in an unlatched open position; andthe library docking connector configured to connect the docking connector of the tape drive canister to the power system and the communications system when the latching mechanism is in the latched close position.